Doorframe construction



Feb. 14, 1939@ F. F. BEL. ET AL DOOR FRAME CONSTRUCTION Original FiledJan- 6, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l JWM/aff Feb. 14, 1939. F. F. BEIL ET ALDOOR` FRAME CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Jan. 6, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Feb. 14, 1939. F F. BEM. ET AL* DOOR` FRAME CONSTRUCTION original FiledJam e, 19:56

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Reissued Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES Re.z,1,oo1

.PATENT OFFICE DOORFRAME CONSTRUCTION Forrest F. Beil and Earl E. Green,Clinton, Iowa, assignors, by mesnel assignments, to Curtis CompaniesIncorporatcd,1Clinton, Iowa, a-.oor-

poration of Iowa 16 Claims.

An object of our invention is to provide an improvement in the designand arrangement of parts constituting a door frame or similarconstruction, especially for building openings, the improvementinvolving parts of comparatively simple design, which facilitateassembly of such a frame, especially an entrance door of ornamentalconstruction.

Another object is to provide a construction so designed that a largenumber of different entrances can be assembled from a minimum number ofstandardized parts.

A'iurther object is to so arrange the standardized parts that doors ofdifferent sizes can be tted into an assembled entrance frame or buildingopenings of various sizes can be accommodated.

A further object is to provide different designs of vdoor entrancecasing parts, such as various kdesigns of pilasters, architravesandcaps, which can be assembled for several different sizes f- `doorswithout changing to different sizes of pilasters, architraves and caps.

A still further object is to make a frame of standardized parts which isadaptable to wall structuresof different types and thicknesses, asub-jamb of the necessary width being provided to accomplish thisobject, in cases where the Wall is of greater thickness than the widthof the jamb will accommodate.

Another object is to provide for making up door entrances of variousdimensions from a minimum number of parts in stock, and thus do awaywith the expensive method heretofore used in making up entrances toorder in small quantities, and consequently at high cost to meet thevarying and multitudinous demands of builders.

One of our principal objects, therefore, is to provide the buildingindustry with an improved frame for building openings, the parts ofwhich can be machined and prefabricated inl large quantities of likeparts, so that the cost oi production can be reduced and the sellingprice to builders reduced, thus resulting in an increase in sales,whereby production can lfurther be increased and still lower costobtained.

A further object is to provide a door frame construction including sideand head architraves of substantial width, which are overlapped bypilasters and a cap, the degree of overlapping beingrvariab-le so thatwith a pair of pilasters of one length and a cap of one length, a numberof diierent 4sizes of door openings (either standard or odd sizes) canbe formed as desired, the pila'sters having separable base memberswhereby the lower ends of the pilasters can be cut off on the job andthe base members then applied to finish out the `ornamental appearanceoi the pilasters.

A still further object is to provide parts of a door frame soconstructed that a minimum of cutting and fitting is required to utilizethe parts for diierent sizes of door openings.

Still a further object is to provide pilasters, caps and the likearranged around an opening in a building wall and supported in spacedrelation to the wall,architraves or other ornamental members beingprovided to cover the portion of the wall intervening between theboundary of the opening and the inner edges of the pilasters and caps.

Still a further object is to provide such architraves so that they canbe joined to the edge of an opening-defining member, such as a jamb, andhave variable joint connection with the pilasters and cap, whereby theirdegree of reveal can be varied to accommodate different standard sizesof openings and/or compensate for variations in the installation of jambmembers.

With/these and other objects in view, our invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

`vFigure 1 is a front elevation of a door frame embodying our inventionand showing a door mounted therein.

AFigures 2 and 3 are similar front elevations showing respectively ashorter and narrower door and a still shorter and wider door.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,showing .the construction at the head jamb.

Figure .5 is an enlarged sectional view on the 1ine'5-5 of Figure l,showing the construction at the sill.

vFigure 6. is `an enlarged sectional View on the line i--G of Figure 3,showing the construction of. the side jamb.

Figure 7 is an exploded View of parts of the door frame construction,the parts being shown in front elevation except as vindicated otherwisehereinafter in the specification.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3, showing theextension of a casing member in the door frame to a position behind thecap.

`'Figure y9 is a sectional View similar to a portion of Figure 4 showingthe use of an extension or sub-head jamb to accomodate a wall of greaterthickness.

Figure 10 is a sectional view similar to a portion of Figure 6, showinga similar extension or sub-jamb for the side of the frame; and

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a door frame embodying our inventionshowing the parts assembled for minimum door width and illustrating indotted lines the relative positions of these parts for two other widthsof door openings..

On the accompanying drawings, we have used the reference numeral III toindicate a door sill. Side jambs are indicated at I2, and a head jamb atI4. The parts of the door frame construction include side architravesI6, a head architrave I8, pilasters 24J and a cap 22.

Base mold members 24 are provided for the lower ends of the pilasters20, and the pilasters are usually provided with casing members 26 tooverlap the walls. At 28 we illustrate an apron for depending from thesill. In Figure 7 the sill I8 is shown in top plan view, the side jambsI2 being shown in elevation as viewed from the center of the door frame,and the head jamb I4 is shown in bottom plan view.

The side jambs I2 are dadoed at their lower ends as indicated at 30 toreceive the ends of the sill I0. The head jamb I4 has each end dadoed at32 to receive the upper ends of the side jambs I2. The sill I0 and headjamb I4 are supplied of the proper width for the door opening, but theheight of the door opening can be varied by cutting off the upper endsof the side jambs at 34 or 36, depending on the height of the door towhich the frame is to be adapted. The side architraves I6 are alsoadapted for being cut 01T at 3B or 40 to properly t the side architravest0 the side jambs.

The pilasters 2U are also adapted for cutting off at 42 or 44, while thecasing members 26 are adapted for cutting off at 46 or 48 to correspondwith the lengths of the side architraves I6. The cap 22 is furnished inone length and overlaps the upper edge of the head architrave I8, thepilasters 20 overlapping the outer edges of the side architraves I6.

In order to provide uniformity in the appearance of the entrance, thehead architrave must project downwardly from the cap the same distancethat the side architraves project inwardly from the pilasters. One endof the head architrave can be cut as indicated at 50, 52 or 54, to thusfit the width of the door opening determined by the lengths of the sillI0 and head jamb I4. The cuts from 36 to 54 are all performed on thejob, the parts II), 28, I4 and 22 being furnished of proper length.

By the use of the foregoing described parts, we are able to provide fora great number of different door widths, and heights, which is bestillustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 11. In Figure 1 we illustrate thegreatest height provided by the pilasters 20 in their original length,and for an intermediate width by projecting the head architraves I8 toan intermediate position as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

In Figure 3 we show the head architrave in the minimum projectedposition, and in Figure 2 to the maximum projecting position, thusreducing the height of the door considerably relative to the pilasters.

In Figure 2 We show the pilasters out at 42, while in Figure 3 we showthem cut at 44 (see Fig. 7), thus accommodating an intermediate and ashort height of door respectively.

Obviously with three different widths and three different heightspossible with one set of frame members, nine different sizes of doorscan be accommodated, whereas formerly each size of door had to beproduced individually with the parts cut to the proper length for thesize of door to t in the frame being ordered.

Although we have illustrated merely three different widths and heights,it is obvious that a greatnumber of different widths and heights withinthe range of the particular set of frame parts supplied is procurable.

In Figure 11 we have shown somewhat diagrammatically how the architravesI3 and I8 may be varied in position relative to the pilastersv 20 andthe cap 22 to secure three different widths of door openings, retainingthe same heights of openings. Surface contour lines of the precedingfigures have been omitted from this gure to avoid confusion in theshowing of dotted positions. In full lines the minimum width opening isillustrated, and it will be noted that the side architraves I6 projectthe same distance from the pilasters 20 that the head architraveprojects from the cap 22. The head architrave for the minimum width(full line) position is cut at the line 54 in Figure 7.

To secure an intermediate width of opening, the side architraves aremoved outwardly to the position indicated at ISa by dash lines. The headarchitrave I8 must similarly be moved upwardly to the position at I8a toproject the same distance from the head architrave that the sidearchitraves do from the pilasters. For this position the head architraveis cut at the line 52. Similarly the dotted positions at 16h and I8b areassumed by the architraves for a still widerl door opening, the headarchitrave being cut on the ,i

line 50 for this purpose.

Since the side architraves I 6 are made for a doorl opening of givenheight, the height of this opening will remain the same in the threeillustrated positions of the architraves but the width Y will vary. Formaking shorter door openings, the side architraves can be out at 38 or4U, and the pilasters at 42 or 44, the casing members 26 beingcorrespondingly cut at 46 or 48.

By providing the base member 24 as a separable part, the bottom ends ofthe pilasters can be cut oil square without any necessity for intricatefitting or reforming the pilaster base or the like. Our constructionalso provides for cutting ofi` the lower ends of the side architravesand the upper ends of the side jambs squarely, the only mitered jointbeing necessary being the one at 5U, 52 or 54 on the head architrave;

In Figure 4 the head architrave is projected to an intermediateposition. This intermediate position for the side architrave is shown bydotted lines in Figure 6, the solid line showing being for the minimumprojection, and the dash line showing for the maximum projection. It isobvious that by providing the architraves of substantial width, suchvariation is permissible, more or less projection merely resulting inless or more space indicated at Strand 58 in Figures 6 and 4respectively.

The side architraves I6 are applied to the outer edges of the side jambsI2, as shown in Figure 6, for a wall 60 of minimum thickness. The headarchitrave is positioned against the wall, and the cap 22 against thehead architrave as in Figure 4, a iiller block 62 being used to spacethe extension head jamb 68 are used.

.upper edge of the cap, Whereas the casing memrv`ber I26, shown inFigure 6, accomplishes a similar .purpose for the pilaster.

Where a wall construction is thicker, such as a masonry wall 64, asshown in Figures 8 and 10, a sub or extension side jamb 66 and a sub orThese may varyin width, wider ones being used for thicker walls and viceversa. These are preferably provided with tongues 10, which fit intogrooves 'l2 in the outer edges. of the jambs I2 and I4, to provide aweather-.tight connection at this point. The architraves are thenapplied to the outer edges of the sub-jambs.

\Byvthe use of our door frame construction a great number of differentsizes of door openings can .be provided with one set of frame parts andmanufacturing and installation variations can rbe compensated for. Theonly variation in appearance of the various sizes of door frames. isinthe relative degree of extension of the architraves from the pilastersand cap. The architraves are preferably provided with longitudinalornamentations such as moldings and grooves as illustrated particularlyin Figures 6, 9 andlO, some of which, in the minimum extension of thearchitraves, are concealed, but which are apparent when the architravesare extended so that in any extended position of the architravesrelative to the pilasters and cap, the ornamental appearance of the doorframe is not detracted from.

The side casings 26, it will be noted, extend beyond the upper ends ofthe pilasters in Figure '7. In -Figure 8 these are shown extending upbehind Vthe ends of the cap, thus providing additional engaging surfacesto be nailed together for effectively-securing the cap relative to theother frame parts.

.The inside of the door opening may beI trimmed inany of tlie usualmethods, comprising interior .trim such as indicated at '14, plasterreturns or the like.

From the foregoing it is obvious that one of the essential features ofour invention is the movability of architraves or the like relative topilasters, caps or the like to take care of different sizes of buildingopenings without however using different sizes of pilasters and caps.Adjustment `is possiblel without opening up any joints or otherwisecomplicating installation of the frame relative to the building opening.i Although we have shown one ornamental type ofpilaster and cap, it isobvious that pilasters and caps can be made in other shapes or contours,and other changes also may be made without departing from the realspirit of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claimsany modied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which maybe reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

l. In a door frame construction for a wall, a pair of side jambs, asill, a head jamb, a pair of side architraves and a head architrave,said architraves extending in the plane and over the face of the wallfrom said side and head jambs respectively, a pair of pilasters spacedfrom the wall and overlapping the outer edges of said side architravesand a cap across the upper ends of said pilasters and overlapping theupper edge of said head architrave, said side and head architraves beingof substantial width to project to greater or less degree from saidpilasters and cap to accommodate doors of smaller or larger dimensions.

2. For use in a wall, a door frame construction comprising jambs,architraves, and ornamental members spaced from the wall and overlyingthe architraves at the sides and top of said door frame, the dooropening defined by said jambs being selectively variable by relativere-arrangement in the spacing and by shortening of said jambs andarchitraves.

3. In an ornamental door frame construction for a wall and adapted -fordiiferent sizes of doors, a plurality of frame members comprising a cap,pilasters, head and side jambs and architraves having joint relationshiptherewith, said architraves being movable relative to said cap,pilasters and wall, and being located between said cap and the wall andbetween said pilasters and the wall to dene door openings of variousdimensions with the use of one set of caps, pilasters, head jambs, sidejambs and architraves.

4. An ornamental frame construction adapted for mounting in a wallincluding a side jamb, an architrave, and a pilaster, said architravebeing adapted at one edge for assembly with said jamb, and at the otheredge for selective relative spacing and assembly relative to saidpilaster in a position interposed between the pilaster and a face of thewall in which the frame is mounted.

5. An ornamental frame construction adapted for mounting in a wallincluding a head jamb, an architrave and a cap, said architrave being ina position interposed between the cap and a face of the wall in whichthe frame is mounted, one edge of said arehitrave being assembledagainst the edge of a jamband its other edge being movable relativetosaid cap and wall.

6. For use in. connection with a wall, a door frame constructioncomprising a pair of side jambs, side architraves applied tothe outer'edges wall and movable relative thereto to dene varying widths andheights of door openings.

8. For use in a wall, a door frame construction comprising jambs,architraves overlapping the wall sheathing and ornamental membersoverlying the architraves the wall at the sides and top of saidarchitraves and having joint relationship therewith, said jambs andarchitraves being movable relative to said wall sheathing and relativeto said ornamental members to vary the dimensions of door openingsdefined by the jambs, and sub-jambe interposed between the inner edgesof said architraves and edges of said jambs.

9. For use in connection with a wall having an opening therein, anornamental member, means for supporting said ornamental member on andspaced from the surface of said wall in a position adjacent said openingwith one edge thereof spaced from the opening, and means to cover theportion of said wall intervening between said edge and said opening,said last means partially occupying the space between said ornamentalmember and said surface of said wall and being movable in said space tocover said intervening portion of said wall to the necessary degreedependent upon installation variations of the ornamental member relativeto the opening.

10. In apparatus for trimming an opening in a Wall, first and secondornamental members, said first ornamental members being arranged aroundsaid opening, supported on the wall and spaced from both the edge of theopening and the surface of said wall, said second ornamental membershaving parts thereof occupying the space between said first ornamentalmembers and said surface of said wall and having other parts thereofextending across the portion of the wall between the edge of saidl firstornamental members and the opening in said wall.

l1. In a structure of the class described for use in connection with awall having an opening therein, a jamb defining one side oi said wallopening, the front portion of said jamb being substantially aligned witha face of said wall, an ornamental member overlying and spaced from saidface of said wall and spaced along the wall from said jamb, a connectingornamental member to cover the portion of said wall intervening betweensaid first ornamental member and said jamb, said connecting ornamentalmember having joint connection with said front portion of said jamb andwith the back of said first ornamental member, said connectingornamental member being of a width to accommodate variable spacingsbetween said joint connections When the jambs are moved toward or fromsaid first ornamental member to define wall openings of differentdimensions.

12. In a structure of the class described for use with a wall having anopening therein, jambs to define two sides of said opening, pilastersoverlying and spaced from one face of said Wall and fixed relative tothe wall with their inner edges spaced wider apart than said jambs,architraves for covering the wall areas intervening between said jambsand said pilasters, said architraves having ornamental facial groovesand molds, each architrave at one edge being engaged with one of saidjambs and at the other edge being inserted between the face of said walland one of said pilasters, said jambs being adapted for movement todefine door openings of different widths, said architraves covering saidwall areas and showing different face reveal corresponding to differentwall opening sizes as defined by said jambs in relation to saidpilasters.

13. In a structure for use with a wall having an opening therein, jambsto define two sides of said opening, pilasters overlying and spaced froma surface of said wall, said pilasters being fixed relative to the wallwith their inner edges spaced Wider apart than said jambs, means attheir outer edges to close the spaces between said pilasters and saidsurface of said wall, architraves for covering the wall areasintervening between said jambs and said pilasters, said architraveshaving ornamental facial grooves, each architrave at one edge beingengaged with one of said jambs and at the other edge being inserted inone of saidfspaces, said jambs being adapted for movement to define dooropenings of different widths, said architraves covering said wall areasand showing different face reveal corresponding to different wallopening sizes.

14. In a structure of the class described, jambs defining the sides of awall opening, ornamental members spaced from a face of said Wall andspaced from each other a distance greater than the width of saidopening, second ornamental members to conceal the face of said Wallbetween said jambs and said first ornamental members, said secondornamental members being engaged at one edge with said jambs and attheir other edge projecting into the space behind said first ornamentalmembers and having lap joint connection therewith whereby the faceexposure of said second ornamental members may vary and said lap jointconnections be maintained when the opening width between said jambs isincreased or decreased to fit different sizes of doors or the like.

15. For use with a building opening frame having jambs, ornamentalmembers substantially surrounding said opening, said jambs being set ina wall of the building and some of said ornamental members beingsupported on said wall in spaced relation to a face thereof, the otherornamental members being inserted between said face of said wall andsaid first ornamental members to span and cover the space on the wallbetween said first ornamental members and said jambs, joints betweensaid first and second ornamental members constructed to permit movementand positioning of one relative to the other when the space from thefirst ornamental member to the jamb varies due to variations common inbuilding construction.

16. In a structure of the class described, a door frame including jambsset in a wall, pilasters spaced apart a greater distance than thedistance between said jambs, said pilasters being supported on said wallwith space between the pilasters and the face of the wall, architravesextending into such space and having joint relationship with saidpilasters which permits the architraves to be moved relative to thepilasters while adapting them to span a variable space on the wallbetween the pilaster and the door jamb to adapt one set of pilasters afixed distance apart for use with a plurality of doors of varyingWidths.

FORREST F. BEIL. EARL E. GREEN.

